Legacy

Legacy - Irish Traditional Music Jackson, Mississippi / New Orleans, Louisiana

Legacy has drawn the enthusiastic attention of Irish traditional music fanatics all across the South and Southwest. Their skill is undeniable, their arrangements are complex and challenging, and their performances are tight and energetic. Their recent headline performances include the North Texas Irish Festival, the Bedford Celtic Heritage Festival, and the Austin Celtic Festival.

Fiddler Valerie Plested is one of the finest and most musically expressive young talents to have emerged on the Southwest's Celtic music scene. She recently relocated from San Antonio where she performed with Agus and the All Ireland-winning St. James's Gate.

Don Penzien's dexterous work on 'dadgad' guitar provides not only the solid, driving rhythms that are a hallmark of Legacy performances, but also perceptive and sensitive accompaniments to songs and airs.

Richie Stafford is a Dublin native who learned to play flute and fiddle as a boy in County Sligo. Since settling in New Orleans in 1977, Richie has been a consistent force in the growth of Irish music in this region.

Premier bodhran player and percussionist Albert Alfonso creatively blends a variety of world rhythms in his own innovative style.

As at NTIF 2000, Legacy is featuring several guest artists including virtuoso Uillean piper Tim Britton (presently a member of Chulrua, Tim has performed at most of the nation's festivals and he appears on over two dozen recordings with such greats as Mick Moloney and the Green Fields of America, Eileen Ivers, John Whelan, Chanting House, Touchstone, Johnny Cunningham, Liz Carrol, Billy McComiskey, and many more), Betsy Ener (Lost Tribe's exceptional singer), Rick Cunningham (outstanding bouzouki and box player with The Craicers and Henri's Notions), and stepdancer Joni Muggivan (the epitome of grace and strength and a winner of numerous dance competitions including one in County Tipperary, Ireland).

Legacy's CD, NAVAN, has drawn high praise and been a hot seller since its release. Said Dirty Linen's Steve Winick, "There's nothing like discovering new talent, and this band fills the bill. There are strong performances from every quarter...a delicate combination of full-speed-ahead attack and subtle finesse."

For bookings, contact Valerie Plested 601/368-9599 vplested@bigfoot.com http://www.bigfoot.com/~legacy1

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Last updated on June 11, 2001
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